cigar afficionados

[Nungboy]

Dang Reg, sounds great...and you look pretty satisfied there! Happy Anniversary!

[soundmaster31]

Originally Posted by reg71

Well I made it 4 days. In the sampler there was one Tabak Especial which is supposed to replace the java from Drew Estates (acc to an earlier post).

Well, I misspoke earlier. The Tabak Especial line is the alternative to the Kahlua cigars Drew Estate used to make. Kahlua didn't renew their licensing agreement in March 2008 so production of Kahlua ended and the remaining stocks were sold until they were gone. I realized this after smoking my Tabak Especial the other day and reading reg's quoting of me. The Tabak Especial have a sweetened cap where as IIRC the Java do not. The Java is a project with Rocky Patel so it's more of a standard cigar and I don't believe anything is changing with it anytime soon.


I've smoked two of the Tabak Especial cigars so far and have liked them both. The first was a Cafe con Leche and the second was Dulce in robusto size. Both were great. I especially like the caramel (dur) flavor of the Dulce. Shared it with a girl who likes cigars as well and she really like the Dulce too.

[Echo3Niner]

Originally Posted by reg71

Well I made it 4 days. In the sampler there was one Tabak Especial which is supposed to replace the java from Drew Estates (acc to an earlier post). Well, I liked it. It was very similar to the jave except it had a bigger ring and was not box pressed. It was my anniversary and we went out for seafood then walked along the pier while I smoked it. I found the experience enjoyable.

Damn! Missed it by a day... I didn't know you had an anniversary coming up, I woulda picked that for sure! (Oh well... I'll get it next time.)

[5thGenAchmed]

Originally Posted by KC-10 FE

Ashton is the high end brand of Arturo Fuente. The Fuente Hemingway is an outstanding smoke. If you liked the Ashton, I believe you would like the Perdomo Edicion Silvio & Perdomo Champagne.

KC-10 FE out...

For an everyday smoke, you can't go wrong with an A. Fuente. And, the two seem to run hand in hand for me - the Ashtons are my 'special occasion' smoke. Save them for New Year's, birthdays and stuff like that.

I find I enjoy a cigar with a good cup of coffee, port wines, and dark beer. Not much of a brandy drinker though.

[vfrcapn]

Originally Posted by reg71

Well I made it 4 days. In the sampler there was one Tabak Especial which is supposed to replace the java from Drew Estates (acc to an earlier post). Well, I liked it. It was very similar to the jave except it had a bigger ring and was not box pressed. It was my anniversary and we went out for seafood then walked along the pier while I smoked it. I found the experience enjoyable.

I'm guessing the Java you enjoy isn't the one I had last night, the Latte? I was warned it was sweet but it tasted like a box of chocolates. It was enjoyable as a one time smoke but not for me on a regular basis. I will say the severe box press wasn't all that bad. lol

I'm taking a 11, 12 or 13 day ride soon and need a travel humidor, I think. I've got a nice leather wrapped one that will hold about 12 Churchill cigars but it's bulky and heavy. Any suggestions on one or should I just forget the hummidor for a trip this length?

[reg71]

Originally Posted by vfrcapn

I'm guessing the Java you enjoy isn't the one I had last night, the Latte? I was warned it was sweet but it tasted like a box of chocolates. It was enjoyable as a one time smoke but not for me on a regular basis. I will say the severe box press wasn't all that bad. lol

I haven't had the latte but that is tabak especial isn't it?

Originally Posted by Echo3Niner

Damn! Missed it by a day... I didn't know you had an anniversary coming up, I woulda picked that for sure! (Oh well... I'll get it next time.)

yeah, I didn't think about it until we were getting ready to go out and thought it might be nice to smoke one while walking around on the pier over the bay.

Originally Posted by soundmaster31

Well, I misspoke earlier. The Tabak Especial line is the alternative to the Kahlua cigars Drew Estate used to make. Kahlua didn't renew their licensing agreement in March 2008 so production of Kahlua ended and the remaining stocks were sold until they were gone. I realized this after smoking my Tabak Especial the other day and reading reg's quoting of me. The Tabak Especial have a sweetened cap where as IIRC the Java do not. The Java is a project with Rocky Patel so it's more of a standard cigar and I don't believe anything is changing with it anytime soon.

so far, I think I am more a fan of the Java but I do notice that it seems a bit stronger to me. I could smoke either one, but if it was the same price, I'd probably go for the Java.

Originally Posted by Nungboy

Dang Reg, sounds great...and you look pretty satisfied there! Happy Anniversary!

Thanks, yeah. It was a good dinner and a nice night for strolling near the ocean. We had a good time and some good food. Unfortunately we had a flat so I changed the flat when we came out of the restaurant then walked around smoking the cigar to unwind.

[soundmaster31]

Originally Posted by reg71

I haven't had the latte but that is tabak especial isn't it?

Negative ghost rider, the pattern is full. lol


The latte is definitely a blend for the Java. The wrapper is just lighter and not a Conneticut broadleaf...I forget what the light wrapper is...but I'm sure it's on CI's website.

[vfrcapn]

Originally Posted by soundmaster31

Negative ghost rider, the pattern is full. lol


The latte is definitely a blend for the Java. The wrapper is just lighter and not a Conneticut broadleaf...I forget what the light wrapper is...but I'm sure it's on CI's website.

What’s this ’Latte’ all about, you ask? The Java Latte employs a silky-smooth Connecticut Ecuador wrapper rather than the standard Connecticut Broadleaf. The result is a mellow and creamy sensation with all that Java awesomeness you’ve come to love.

Definitely very sweet. Would be nice with the right beverage compliment.

[Echo3Niner]

Just placed an order with a new vendor, as they beat my old vendor's price by $12 bucks for 4 cases of my machine-made daily smokers. Thought they may have good prices for some of your other favorite brands:

*Bonita Smoke Shop Premium Cigars and Cigar Humidors

[Lgn001]

Originally Posted by vfrcapn

...I'm taking a 11, 12 or 13 day ride soon and need a travel humidor, I think. I've got a nice leather wrapped one that will hold about 12 Churchill cigars but it's bulky and heavy. Any suggestions on one or should I just forget the hummidor for a trip this length?

Try one of these;

Herf-a-Dor X15 Traveldor - 15-Capacity - Cigars International

I have a 10 cigar model, and it works great. The biggest concern is the temperature variations that they are exposed to, but watcha gonna do?

[KC-10 FE]

Finally had a break from the ridiculous heat/humidity wave NJ has been having today. With that in mind, I headed to my lawn chair with our new dog, Max. I got a cigar & some German beer & he got a smoked pig ear.

Today's selection was a Sancho Panza Double Maduro. Very nice indeed. This is a very nice moderately priced smoke. Not too strong & not too mild. I thought it was very woody & leathery with a nice spicy kick. Your experience may vary.

Sancho Panza Double Maduro - Cigars International

KC-10 FE out...

[Lgn001]

Originally Posted by KC-10 FE

... & he got a smoked pig ear....

That made me think of a few cigars I have tried that were one or two notches above "dog turds".

Anybody else have terms of endearment for horrible cigars?

[vfrcapn]

Any new samples to recommend?

I bought a bundle of Famous Smoke Shop's own branded Dominicans recently. It's not the first time I bought these and they aren't expensive sticks but this bundle came with about 1/3 of them with obvious mold growth. They came with 2 day shipping with a larger order I placed so I sort of doubt this happened sitting in a UPS warehouse. What do you do in this situation? Forget it and toss them? Contact the supplier and ask for replacements? Or just clean them up and smoke them once they've dried up enough? Advice?

[Echo3Niner]

First; "Holy, stinking, smoking, old thread Batman!"

Originally Posted by Lgn001

That made me think of a few cigars I have tried that were one or two notches above "dog turds".

Anybody else have terms of endearment for horrible cigars?

I once called one a "dried twig, dipped in horse shit.", but I was in a bad mood anyway.

[soundmaster31]

Originally Posted by vfrcapn

Any new samples to recommend?

I bought a bundle of Famous Smoke Shop's own branded Dominicans recently. It's not the first time I bought these and they aren't expensive sticks but this bundle came with about 1/3 of them with obvious mold growth. They came with 2 day shipping with a larger order I placed so I sort of doubt this happened sitting in a UPS warehouse. What do you do in this situation? Forget it and toss them? Contact the supplier and ask for replacements? Or just clean them up and smoke them once they've dried up enough? Advice?

Call up FSS for a return. They should replace them...maybe even get you a free return shipping label. I know with most places like CI if you're not satisfied with a bundle or a box you can smoke I think up to 3 cigars out of the group and still get a full return value on them. If you smoke more than that then the refund is pro-rated.




As far as new samples...recently picked up some CAO Brazilia's in the Gol! size and a Perdomo Sampler bundle with Lot 23 Naturals&Maduros and Perdomo Habanos in Corojo and Maduro. I've had the Lot 23's before. Not super complex but a quality smoke in my opinion and they're fairly inexpensive. I haven't had a chance to smoke the Habanos or the Brazilias yet(letting them get some rest in the humidor).

[reg71]

Originally Posted by vfrcapn

Any new samples to recommend?

I bought a bundle of Famous Smoke Shop's own branded Dominicans recently. It's not the first time I bought these and they aren't expensive sticks but this bundle came with about 1/3 of them with obvious mold growth. They came with 2 day shipping with a larger order I placed so I sort of doubt this happened sitting in a UPS warehouse. What do you do in this situation? Forget it and toss them? Contact the supplier and ask for replacements? Or just clean them up and smoke them once they've dried up enough? Advice?

I'd at least contact the supplier and see what they had to say. dont think I'd smoke them just because I'm not sure what kind of mold it is and might do to you...

[crustyrider]

Originally Posted by Lgn001

That made me think of a few cigars I have tried that were one or two notches above "dog turds".

Anybody else have terms of endearment for horrible cigars?

I have an ex boss that wou;d smoke the classic aroma del Bano ( bahnyo) which he bragged about paying 2 dollars per cigar...

[Lgn001]

I think it was either Mark Twain or George burns who said that a particularly bad cigar; "Tasted like dog hair, and not very good dog hair".

Cigars International carries a brand called "Nica Libre", which is a good cigar for not a lot of money ($50/box of 20). I tried them on a whim, and have ordered them several times.

[reg71]

Originally Posted by Lgn001

I think it was either Mark Twain or George burns who said that a particularly bad cigar; "Tasted like dog hair, and not very good dog hair".

Cigars International carries a brand called "Nica Libre", which is a good cigar for not a lot of money ($50/box of 20). I tried them on a whim, and have ordered them several times.

thanks for that. I have looked at those several times but haven't ordered them yet. I did try some of thier cheap ones, but I can't highly reccommend them. I'll try and come back with the names so you guys dont waste the buck a stick that they cost...

[soundmaster31]

If you guys are interested in hearing more working man cigar reviews, check out the "banter" when CI has a Joe's Jambalaya(once a week I believe). Everybody on there asks questions about the cigars currently up for sale(prolly go through 20 or so different kind a day) and usually there are some pretty decent comments about them.

[Echo3Niner]

In an effort to take us off topic again to Scotch (not really, just been meaning to post this and keep forgetting, since the thread has been re-energized... When in Rome.)

In my review earlier of several Scotch's, I mentioned the "only 6 real distillers left", but never actually quantified them.

They are:

Talisker - Island (my fav)

Glenkinchie - Lowland

Dalwhinnie - Highland

Cragganmore - Speyside

Oban - West Highland

Lagavulin - Islay (my second fav)

The rest of the review I posted still stands, as does the region "tastes" mentioned in it. But, I thought I'd finally finish my post (many a month later). These 6 are referred to as the "Classic Malts" of Scotland.

[reg71]

strangely enough, I come back to this (or the other) thread that refers to scotch every once in a while to see what I should try... Unfortunately, my usual 'buying' place ony has the popular cheap brands so I have yet to try some of the aforementioned names, but I promise...one of these days...I will.

[Echo3Niner]

Originally Posted by reg71

strangely enough, I come back to this (or the other) thread that refers to scotch every once in a while to see what I should try... Unfortunately, my usual 'buying' place ony has the popular cheap brands so I have yet to try some of the aforementioned names, but I promise...one of these days...I will.

Try a "duty free" store at an airport (can save a lot), or order them...

[reg71]

Originally Posted by Echo3Niner

Try a "duty free" store at an airport (can save a lot), or order them...

that's good idea. I should put a list on my iPhone or I guess I could just get on the net on it and read this post....

[Echo3Niner]

Try a either of these:

The Whisky Exchange : Whisky Shop, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Whiskies of the World, Rare Whisky

Binny's Beverage Depot - Wine, Spirits & Beer Since 1947

[Badbilly]

Worlds record for a single sale of one cigar goes to Marvin Abernathy of Coral Gables, Fla., who paid $12,800.00 for the Clinton/Lewinsky cigar.

An old Cuban technique was to soak several cigars in rum for several weeks, strain the rum and mainline it.

[spid6813]

Garcia Vega_green leaf.. After that, the booze jus adds spice..

[KC-10 FE]

Today's selection was an Olivia Master Blends 3. HIGHLY recommended. Cigars International says it's Med-Full strength but I thought it was very mellow. It's a stronger cigar but it's so good just about anyone could smoke it, even new cigar smokers.

Oliva Master Blends III - Cigars International

One more day living the American dream in an Arabic paradise.

KC-10 FE out...

[vfrcapn]

Welcome back KC.

There's a new store here in town and the owner is big in to cigars, he put in a rather large humidor with some better selections. I picked up a mixed 20 bundle of RP Edge and Edge lights for the same price Famous Smokes has them, and he threw in a couple RP Renaissance to try out. Getting tired of the cheaper $3 sticks, but those Olivia's are still a bit pricy for me, maybe a special occasion cigar.